"THAT Hill Is Still There!"

It says something about a cross country course that the first thing one of the senior ladies says as you arrive is that the hill is still there, and we all know exactly what she means!

Known to all as "Killer Hill", it is the defining feature of the Leek Westwood course and also decides the finishing positions of the last fixture of the Norths Staff League at westwood High School Leek. Run this well on each of the three 2 mile laps, recover for the next climb, and you stand a good chance of doing well. Let it psych you out and you are in real trouble! The photo shows the condition I was on the short climb just before Killer Hill on the first lap!

The climb is tougher than any others in the season, even Hill 60 at Roundhey Park, because there is a short tough climb and quick descent putting your body under pressure before you actually reach the bottom of the hill. Secret is don't look up, adjust the central governor in the brain and don't stop! I managed this and had a great run, again with the temperature barely reaching zero and got round in 45.15.

The remainder of the week was limited training again in sub zero conditions including running along a frozen Macclesfield canal, & I also managed a good couple of hours on the bike the day after the race which helped to loosten off the legs.

Weekly mileage 21. Annual mileage 1251. Races 34